The Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with right-hander Junior Guerra on a one-year deal that includes a club option for a second year, first reported by Kyle Lesniewski of Brew Crew Ball and confirmed by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal will pay Guerra $2.55MM in 2020 along with a $100K buyout on the club option, making for a $2.65MM overall guarantee, as reported by Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
Guerra, who had been arbitration-eligible for the first time, was non-tendered by the Brewers, meaning that he will remain under team control for three more years. He had been projected by MLBTR to earn $3.5MM in arbitration.
The 34-year-old Guerra adds another option to the Arizona bullpen, as well as an arm that can provide multiple innings. Guerra emerged as one of Craig Counsell’s most reliable options in the second half of 2019, tossing 83 2/3 innings in 72 games with Milwaukee, including 23 appearances in which he recorded more than three outs.
A converted starter, 2019 marked the first season in which Guerra was deployed as a full-time reliever, and he delivered solid results, logging a 3.55 ERA and 4.52 FIP while striking out 77 batters and walking 36. He’ll join a bullpen that graded out as firmly middle of the road in 2019, providing some much needed depth to Torey Lovullo’s arsenal.
I wanted Oakland to take a look good pick up very underrated
Extremely underrated. Guerra is tremendous talented late bloomer reliever.
This is a great signing. Good decision D-backs.
Could be a long man in the bullpen or a back-of-rotation starter depending on need. Seems like insurance in case they trade Robbie Ray
Very good signing by the D-backs. Good bullpen arm at a modest price, i’m assuming.
I thought he was the one mistake the brewers made after cleaning house. He’s a decent pitcher. D-back fans will like him
Same
He is a good pickup for a lot of teams depends on cost.
I’m gonna go out and say Brewers finish last in the division. Yes, behind the pirates. Might seem crazy but that’s gonna be my “hot take” this season
Nice. That FO (not including Derrick Hall) does a pretty solid jobs w/ the restrictions Ken Kendrick imposes.
As a cardinal fan I’m sad to see him leave the division. Don’t think he ever pitched more than 5 innings against them
I wonder if the d backs trade Ray the cards Could use a lefthanded starter I heard him and Goldy are friends.
To be fair, Goldy was friends with pretty much every teammate he’s ever had. He’s just that good of a person.
They say in St Louis he’s a good team mate that means a lot.
great get. annoyed Klentak slept on this guy.
Can’t wait to see him implode at the BOB
Another of Rick Hahn’s brilliant moves letting him go for no reason.
Guerra was the veteran of exactly 3 games in the Majors at the age of 30 when he was put on waivers by the White Sox. dont think its egregious as much as a savvy move by the Crew to claim him.
I am not familiar with this guys pitching but this looks like a really good signing for the Brewers. If nothing else those years of control will give him time to develop into what he is capable of doing
Just FYI it’s the Diamondbacks that signed him and he’s 34. Not a whole lot of development in those years other than maybe developing health issues.
Is there anyway a team takes a big contract off their hands? Like Lester, Heyward, Darvish, or Chatwood? Lester and KB to the right team, may be a great help to a contender.